
Friday Harbor Town Council September 5, 2024
LWVSJ Observer Corps*: Friday Harbor Town Council, September 5, 2024
The mayor proclaimed September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month and presented the proclamation to a citizen who thanked the town for helping raise awareness. The mayor declared that Friday September 6 was designated to recognize former mayor Gary Boothman and that Flags would fly at half-mast for the day.
In public comment two citizens spoke about an impending sewer system failure at the Sunrise development that would affect 26 families. If not addressed, they will be forced to abandon their homes. They want to connect to the town sewer system, which would require renegotiating the development agreement with the Home Trust. They hope that can run concurrently with acting. If not connected to the town’s sewer, it would greatly reduce housing units that could be built on the site. Later Barbara Starr asked that a discussion of the ramifications be on a future agenda.
County Manager Jessia Hudson addressed the Council and said her door was open to answer questions and offer support to the Town Council. She looked forward to coordinating with Administrator Kulseth.
The Council passed ordinances extending the downtown core and the historic preservation overlays to Web Street. The Planning Director hopes to bring the detached accessory dwelling unit ordinance to the next council meeting. He will then kick off the comprehensive plan update process with feedback gathered at the county fair and proposals from the consultant. The town has a survey online for public input. They are coordinating with the county on housing needs for possible expansion of Urban Growth areas. In October they will discuss allowing food trucks in public rights-of-way.
The public works director reported that on the Marguerite project that they have installed the new sewer main and connections and added cleanouts, where missing. They have reconnected the water and upgraded the connections. They are working on the stormwater mains and the new curb and gutters will collect rain water and divert to the system earlier. They have started repairing driveways and walls. They are two weeks out from doing gutters and curbs and will start paving at the end of September with a hard finish date of October 15. They are on schedule and on budget.
The administrator reported the town’s fair booth and presentations had great traffic, especially the historical photo montage. They have finalized the document record for the litigation over the county’s water use appeal. The town will be opening labor negotiations with the guild on September 12.
The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan organization encourages informed participation in government. The Observer Corps attends and takes notes at government meetings to expand public understanding of public policy and decisions. The notes do not necessarily reflect the views of the League or its members.